What does cumquat mean?
A cumquat is a small, oval citrus fruit, typically two to five centimetres long, notable for having a sweet rind that can be eaten along with its tart, juicy flesh. It grows on an evergreen shrub or small tree of the genus Fortunella, closely related to Citrus, and is native to southern China. Because the peel is the sweeter part, cumquats are often eaten whole, or used in marmalades, chutneys, liqueurs, and candied confections where the contrast of sweet skin and sharp pulp is prized. The trees are compact and ornamental, which makes them popular in gardens and as potted plants. In English the word appears under two spellings — 'kumquat', now dominant worldwide, and 'cumquat', still commonly used in Australia. Either way, it denotes the same distinctive little fruit whose name derives ultimately from the Cantonese for 'golden orange'.
nounA cumquat is a small, oval citrus fruit with a sweet edible rind and tart flesh, produced by a shrub or small tree of the genus Fortunella. The term also refers to the plant itself.
- A small oval citrus fruit with a sweet edible rind and acidic pulp.
- The evergreen shrub or small tree (genus Fortunella) that bears this fruit.
"She candied the cumquats whole, so the sweet rind balanced the sharp flesh inside."
"The marmalade was made from cumquats grown in her own backyard."
"He planted a cumquat against the sunny wall of the courtyard."
Standard plural; when referring to the fruit as food or produce, the plural is the usual form.
"She bought a kilo of cumquats at the growers' market."
The name literally means 'golden orange' in Cantonese — and unlike most citrus, you eat the skin, not throw it away.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of cumquat
The word entered English in the 17th century from Cantonese 'gam gwat' (金橘), literally 'golden orange', via Chinese Pidgin English trade contacts. It reflects the fruit's Chinese origin; the spelling 'kumquat' eventually became the standard form in most of the English-speaking world.
How cumquat is actually used
'Kumquat' is by far the more common spelling in contemporary English; 'cumquat' appears chiefly in older texts and remains standard usage in Australia. Both refer to the identical fruit.
Easily confused with cumquat
Kumquat is the standard modern spelling of exactly the same fruit; 'cumquat' is simply an older or alternative spelling, not a different thing.